Tropical rock lobster closed season now on

by Fisheries Qld on 16 Oct 2011 Fishers are being reminded a closed season now applies to all species of tropical rock lobster until midnight 31 January 2012.

Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol district manager Bob Russell said closures were in place to protect valuable breeding stock.

'Closed seasons or regulated waters prevent people from fishing at certain times of the year to protect species at vulnerable times in their life cycle, such as during spawning seasons,' he said.

'Rock lobster closures are in place in Queensland tidal waters:

• north of latitude 14° S, south of Cape York, and east of longitude 142° 31´ 49' E
• in the Gulf of Carpentaria, shoreward of the 25 n mile line and south of latitude 10° 48´ S.

'People will be able to catch tropical rock lobster again from 1 February 2012.'

While there is no size limit to tropical rock lobster, a size limit (11.5 cm tail minimum, 9 cm carapace minimum) applies to painted crayfish (Panulirus ornatus).

For more information on closed seasons or bag and size limits visit www.fisheries.qld.gov.au or call 13 25 23.

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